After several days of strong winds and rain, first from Storm Otto, and then continuing after that until yesterday, Hanelie and I decided today would be a good day to survey for Fulmar (Mallemuk) that had died and washed up on the beach. Jørgen was kind enough to be our personal taxi service and drive us to the start point of our survey at Gammel Skagen and Højen strand. On our way there, we made a quick stop at Lidl to see if the Bohemian Waxwings (Silkehale) were still around. They were and we were rewarded again with great views of the small flock of eights birds.

The sun was shining brightly today, and when we started our survey, we immediately noticed the beach was covered in white foam blown in from the sea and we wondered if this would make our search for mostly white birds more difficult. Almost immediately though we found the first dead Mallemuk and were to eventually find a total of six, four that were still in good enough condition to be collected so that they can be sent to Aarhus University for analysis of their stomach contents to determine the amount of plastic they’re ingesting.

Hanelie looking a little unsure about how we're going to find mostly white birds amongst all this sea foam!

The wind was still quite strong today, now out of the north, but we still made good progress and finished feeling successful, if it’s possible to feel success while engaging in a somewhat grim task. We found many other species that had died as well, including Kittiwake (Ride), Gannet (Sule), Greater Black-backed Gull (Svartbag), Herring Gull (Sølvmåge), Common Gull (Stormmåge), and a likely Common Eider (Ederfugl). We were accompanied throughout the day by several flocks of Snow Bunting (Snespurv), as well as a few Sanderling (Sandløber) and Rock Pipit (Skærpiber). We noticed that one Sandløber and one Skærpiber were also ringed with a metal band.

We were happy to return to the warmth of Det Grå Fyr for a late lunch and to process our results and add our finds to the collection in the freezer. Just before dusk I decided I hadn’t had quite enough time outside and took a short walk around Ellekrattet and was glad to hear Skylark (Sanglærke) and Red Crossbill (Lille Korsnæb). And now after a delicious and warming meal from Hanelie, I hope to sleep well to be ready to greet the day tomorrow morning and maybe some new birds that are now beginning to arrive every day.

Signs of spring are beginning to arrive, including at Ellekrattet

Link to observations from today from observers in the area

People: Hanelie Sidhu, Eric Scheuering, Jørgen Kabel

Hi everyone,

this morning, we woke up very early as the wind was very loud and made a door in the yard clatter quite loud, so that I went up at five un the morning to see what was going on and if everything was okay. It was, and the early morning greeted me with rain and heavy wind so I was not unhappy to go back to my warm bed. But soon it was time to get up anyway and the rain was still blown against the windows by the wind, so that we were wondering whether to go out or not or later. I went in the end. I set in the shelter of the dune, but the visibility was not optimal so I counted not many birds, but I had quite some species. The most numerous one was still the Red-throated Diver “Rødstrubet Lom” but I was quite delighted by two early Bar-tailed Godwits “Lille Kobbersneppe”, at the tip, first there was just one, then another one came, and also the Oystercatchers got more, one in the first hour, which got company by four more in the second.

There were a few Great-crested Grebes “Toppet Lappedykker” migrating, and I was happy about a male Goldeneye “Hvinand” migraring south-east. Also a small flock of Whooper Swans “Sangsvane” was migrating, so it was actually a quite nice morning. But towards the end of the observations, I got a bit excited because Erik Christophersen had seen a small flock of Waxwings “Silkehale” in town, and that was a species that I wanted to see of quite long and was also hoping so much to see, when I was here in the beginning of January with Martina, but did not. As I was sometimes checking Dofbasn back at home and I didn´t see entries for them sine that time, I was nearly giving up hope a bit, maybe it should still not be this winter, that I would see them. But it was! After observations, I went back to the station and met Eric and together we went to town. As you might know, that can be quite a challenge with strong wind from west. But we were rewarded.

They were sitting feeding in an apple tree and calling. It turned out, that it was right in front of Eriks work so we also met him. I was very happy about this long-desired species and so was Eric, as it was long ago, that he had seen them the last time. We stayed there for quite a long time, I did not really want to go but I believe we will also see them in the next days in their apple tree. So finally we went to the harbor. Erik had also told me, that a Glaucous “Gråmage” and Iceland Gull “Hvidvinget Måge” had been seen there yesterday and we wanted to see them. I know, yesterday I ended the Blog with “don´t let yourself blow away!” but actually the wind really nearly blew me from the bike. Also Eric was fighting a lot against the wind and was finally the voice of reason and decided to check the harbor in less wind. So close to the gulls, I still wanted to try to find on or both of the Gulls and went further. I was also rewarded and saw the Glaucous Gull “Gråmage”. Then I went also back, we had kind of agreed to share the shopping, so Eric went to the supermarket when he went back and then also I. Still be bought some things twice, now we have a lot of bead and apples in store! On the way back, Eric saw a Fox “Ræv” in the middle of town.

Back at the station, I was entering the data and Eric made us delicious Shakshuka for dinner. The wind is still howling around the lighthouse but tomorrow, there should be less and we will go on the Fulmar survey.

Take care!

Hanelie

Dagens observationer kan ses her

People: Erik Christophersen, Eric Scheuering, Hanelie Sidhu

Dear Blogreader,

Yesterday morning I arrived in Skagen again, thanks to the help of Jørgen, Simon and especially Simons mom because of some difficulties because of the storm. At the train station, I was welcomed by Jørgen and Igor, who picked me up and at the Bird Observatory by Eric. After I ordered my stuff a bit, Eric and I went to World´s end 3 in the early afternoon. There were still quite some Red-throated divers “Rødstrubet Lom” and Auks “Alkefugle” migrating during this afternoon. At the tip, we saw a suspicious dead bird through our telescopes. I went to get it and yes!, it was a very fresh dead fulmar. By the way, if you find dead fulmars at the beach, please contact us and bring them to the bird observatory or tell us the place where you found them and we can come and get them, as long as it is around Skagen. They are collected for a project to examine the amount of microplastic in their stomaches.

When we came back to the Bird Observatory, it was time for data entry and in the evening, Eric made us a delicious dinner. Afterwards, I archived some recapture letters: The first of Skagen Fuglestations ringed Yellowhammers “Gulspurv” was recaptured at another country! Often we get recaptures of our own ringed Yellowhammers “Gulspurv” as they are resident birds or short-distance migrants. So also our Yellowhammer didn´t migrate that far, but apparently it found another nice place to winter because after it was caught and ringed here in the lighthouse garden in winter 2019/20 as 1K bird it was caught this winter on the opposite side of the sea in Sweden.

This morning, we went again Observing at Worlds End 3. There are many pictures of sunrises in Skagen in this Blog, as you know, dear Blogreader, but still they are special here, so we will also share the sunrie on todays way to Verdens Ende 3 with you.

There were again many Red-throated divers “Rødstrubet Lom” migrating and also some Bean Geese “Tajgasædgås” were migrating. Jørgen and Igor also came by on their walk to say hello. After three hours, we decided to go back and warm our Ice-feet. This afternoon I did some work outside around the lighthouse and then did a survey on the contents of the freezer. Later, Eric went to Ellekrattet. In the meantime, I motivated myself with some chips I found in the kitchen to work on a report for university. We ate leftovers of yesterday for dinner. Tomorrow it will be windy again, but we will be out!

Stand firm and don´t let yourself blow away ;)

See you, Hanelie

Observations of 18.02. and 19.02.2023 from Observers in the area

People: Jørgen Kabel and Igor, Eric Scheuering, Hanelie Sidhu

With little activity around the raptor traps, and Simon busy with administrative work, I have shifted my focus the past couple of days to seabirds.

On Tuesday, 14 February, I surveyed for dead seabirds on the beach between Solnedgangskiosken, Højen and Det Grå Fyr, an approximately 10 km route. The primary target of these surveys is Fulmar (Mallemuk) and the birds that are found will be sent to Aarhus University as part of a research project to examine the contents of the stomachs of these birds to determine how much plastic they have ingested.

I began my survey at Solnedgangskiosken and the initial section of beach is primarily composed of large piles of loose gravel with some sand and this made for somewhat slow going for me. The uneven terrain also made searching a little difficult, and while I was seeing a lot of debris, I had not found any dead birds yet and wondered if I needed to modify my search image. Eventually I found a dead Gannet (Sule) and some gulls (måger), but no fulmars yet.

The beach at Højen

As the beach flattened out and became mostly sand, I found the first dead Mallemuk near Skagen Vest Fyr on Nordstrand and immediately noticed the distinctive, sharp smell of seabird. While my focus was on the beach and the ground, I was also taking time to survey the birds flying over the sea. The species I noted included Red-throated Diver/Loon (Rødstrubet Lom), Common Eider (Ederfugl), Common Scoter (Sortand), Red-breasted Merganser (Toppet Skallesluger), Great Cormorant (Skarv), and gulls (måger). I also saw Eurasian Oystercatcher (Strandskade), Sanderling (Sandløber), Rock Pipit (Skærpiber), and Snow Bunting (Snespurv).

In total, I found four dead Mallemuk during the survey, three of which were intact enough to collect. I also collected one Guillemot (Lomvie).

A dead  Fulmar (Mallemuk). A sad sight, yes, but look at that beautiful bill.

Yesterday I returned to Nordstrand to complete a survey of seabirds, this time focused on living birds! I saw many of the same species as yesterday as well as Razorbill (Alk) and Great Crested Grebe (Toppet Lappedykker). I also saw several Harbor Porpoise (Marsvin) swimming and foraging not far from the shore. After two hours of surveying and standing in one place in the chilly wind, I was cold enough to decide to return to Det Grå Fyr. On my return walk I noted a few species I hadn’t seen yet since arriving here, including Northern Lapwing (Vibe), Crested Tit (Topmejse), and Long-tailed Tit (Halemejse).

Do I look cold??

I am enjoying the muted winter landscapes right now and am looking forward to exploring new spots in the area, learning new things, and seeing more new species.

Reservatet landscape

Link to our observations for the first part of this week

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Eric Scheuering

Raptors and new arrivals!

Welcome to the 2023 field season! My name is Eric and I am an American currently living in Germany. I will be volunteering at Skagen until mid-March.

I arrived in Aalborg on 6 February and then drove north to Skagen with Simon on 7 February. Our primary focus this first week has been on the raptor project. We are hoping to capture raptors and attach GPS transmitters to study their migration patterns when they are crossing the Sea. The focal species is Common Buzzard (Musvåge) but it is possible we might catch other species as well. A young Golden Eagle (Kongeørn) has been seen in the area recently, so we can dream!

Our efforts started in the area of the raptor trap that was built in 2022. We placed two roadkill deer carcasses in the trap hoping to attract some birds. That day we also saw one Musvåge at Hulsig Hede so also put some dead birds out in the area to help lure it in.

Working with pyramid traps

On Wednesday, we saw a Musvåge near the bird carcasses and most of them had been eaten (it’s possible a mammal like a fox had also been feeding on them). We also installed a video camera at the raptor trap so we could monitor any activity happening there. Hans and Bodil Rytter arrived that evening from Sydfyn and came to Skagen to help with the raptor trapping efforts as Hans has a lot of experience doing this around Fyn.

On 9 February we set up two pyramid traps in the dunes near the raptor trap where we had earlier set out bait and also two traps in the Grenen area where we had seen a Musvåge earlier. We were able to monitor activity at both traps remotely with the use of cameras and alarms. Lars Bo Jacobsen arrived during the day from Djursland to help with our work as well.

While we were waiting, we went to Skagen Havn to look for dead gulls (måger) to use for raptor bait and continued to search for raptors in the area. Late in the day we learned that a local birdwatcher had observed many further south on the peninsula, including Musvåge and Rød Glente (Red Kite), so we decided we would move some pyramid traps further south. That evening we went out to some fields around Skagen to try and catch Eurasian Woodcocks (Skovsneppe). We did see a few birds but were not lucky enough to catch them.

The team as they look through the thermal binoculars

On Friday (10 February) we set up four pyramid traps and again monitored them remotely throughout the day. We observed many Musvåge in the area, as well as a few Ravn (Common Raven) that were interested in the bait we had put out. We took advantage of our time in the area and searched for flocks of swans (svaner) and geese (gæs) and did counts at several places. Of interest were sightings of Tundra Swan (Pibesvane), large flocks of Greater White-fronted Goose (Blisgås), Tundra Bean-Goose and Taiga Bean-Goose (Tundrasædgås and Skovsædgås), Barnacle Goose (Bramgås), and Common Crane (Trane). That evening Simon made us “Brændende Kærlighed” for dinner which was a real treat!

Ready for buzzard ringing

Saturday we continued to monitor the activity around the raptor traps, and while there were several Musvåge hanging around very close to the traps, they were not yet coming to them. In our surveys of the waterfowl flocks in the area we found most of the same species from the previous day as well as Egyptian Goose (Nilgås) and Pink-footed Goose (Kortnæbbet Gås). Simon also found a couple of Shore Larks (Bjerglærke) in a flock of Eurasian Skylark (Sanglærke) and Corn Buntings (Bomlærker). We attempted to catch some birds at night again with a thermal binocular, both on the beach and in the fields nearby, but luck was still not with us. We saw a young Grey Seal though (Gråsæl).

Grey Seal on the beach by night

On Sunday we said goodbye to Hans and Bodil. Hans gave Simon a lesson on how to attach the harness with the GPS unit. We did also see a Musvåge very near the large raptor trap with the deer carcasses so we are hopeful that in the days to come we will begin to catch some of these birds.

During the week, I also enjoyed birding the Grenen area and from Nordstrand to Det Grå Fyr, seeing species new and old to me, and looking for raptors the whole time as well, of course! Simon also participated in a planning meeting for this year’s bird festival during the week and there is a lot of other administrative work that he is busy with to get things going for the year.

Lars Bo will say goodbye to us today and then we will look forward to Hanelie’s return to the station on Friday.

On the 10^th Michael Ancher was ringing in town which gave us a few winter birds.

Ringing (Nordstjernevej)

Rødhals 1

Blåmejse 2

Musvit 6

Grønirisk 3

Gulspurv 1

Total: 13

Link to our Observations the past week

People: Simon S. Christiansen, Eric Scheuering, Hans Rytter, Bodil Rytter, Lars Bo Jacobsen, Michael Ancher

Hi everyone!

Happy new year from Det Grå Fyr!

On Monday evening, Martina and I arrived here for a short one-week-stay at Skagen. It began with nightcatching, without success but we saw a Short-eared Owl “Mosehornugle” at the secret lake. The next morning, we went ringing at Jennes Sø. The success was quite low, we caught two birds: A Wren “Gærdesmutte” and a nice Redpoll “Gråsisken”, which I could watch feeding in a tree afterwards.

In the afternoon, Martina went to the beach near the harbor and had nice observations of three Razorbills “Alk” which were very close. I went to town, looking for Waxwings “Silkehale” but there were none.

Winter in Skagen can be quite windy and rainy. This week really is. Nevertheless, I went to World End 3 for one hour on Wednesday, Martina joined for a while. As the weather and the visibility was so bad, we didn´t see much. Nevertheless: Auks “Alkefugle”, Velvet Scoters “Fløjsand”, Sanderlings “Sandløber” and Snow Buntings “Snespurv” are species I don´t see at home in southern Germany.

Otherwise, we used the rainy day to sort out doublets in the picture archive of 2022 and untangled a wader net.

In the afternoon the rain stopped for a little while before sunset. Martina went to the harbor and even managed to catch a Yellowhammer “Gulspurv” in the lighthouse garden. I was at cormorant lake and had a nice observation of some Bearded Reedlings “Skægermejse” which were calling in the reeds and coming very close to me.

The first Fulmar “Mallemuk” Beach-Survey for 2023 was today. Therefore, we could say Happy New Year to Jørgen and Igor in the morning, as Jørgen drove us to Solnedgangspladsen in Gammel Skagen where we started. No dead Fulmars “Mallemuk” today. But we found some other dead birds on the beach, as well as a nearly intact dead Cancer pagurus "Tastekrappe".

There was one pair of wings Martina and I were especially scratching our heads over.

Here it is:

And you? Do you know the solution of the riddle?

In the afternoon, Martina went to count Gulls “Måge” at Grenen and I took care about Fulmar survey protocol etc. and warmed me up with some tee.

Tomorrow, there will be a storm but maybe it will bring some birds to Skagen.

Oh yes, and Simon solved the riddle of the pair of wings for us: It is from a Woodcock “Skovsneppe”.

Take care and get well over the winter!

Hanelie

Dagens observationer kan ses her

People: Martina Hillbrand, Simon S. Christiansen, Jørgen Kabel, Hanelie Sidhu

Today was the last full day here at the station, for the autumn volunteer team. I started the morning opening the nets, in the same time Louis went observing, just by the Lighthouse. The ringing today was really slow: we caught just two recaptures (a Blackbird - Solsort and a Robin –Rødhals). Luckily the blackbird, and adult female, was caught while there was a visitor passing by: it is always super cool seeing the happy faces that people have seeing the first time a bird in hand. Louis had a quite slow observing day, I popped out at his place between the rounds and I managed to be present in the most interesting moment of the morning, with a Black-Throated diver resting and two adult-male Long-tailed ducks (Havlit) resting too. I saw also my last seal for this year.

Meanwhile, Aksel slept a little bit longer and then had a walk to the tip, took some pictures and saw a flock of 40 Snow buntings (Snespurv) and thousands of Fielfares (Sjagger).

At the end of the morning I closed the nets and I went to the city to buy some presents to my family and friends. Louis in that period managed to spot and to read the Rock pipit (Skærpiber) which has a Plastic yellow ring (which also Aksel spotted some weeks ago, if it was the same individual, and which also Jørgen tried to find): the code was FCL and we discovered it was ringed here in Skagen this spring (2022). While coming home I had the luck to spot Erik while he was working, so we managed to say our goodbyes.

When I arrived home we put off the owl net in the Lighthouse garden and we settled the net for the Storm petrels at the beach: some days ago it was spotted a Leach’s storm petrel around, but it was always too windy to try.

While settling the Storm Petrel net, with just Simon and Louis, we spotted a funny wren on the rocks close to the sea and 14 Purple Sandpiper (Sortgrå Ryle, picture below: Louis and some of them).

In the afternoon we cleaned all together and we had our final talk with Simon: after a couple of rounds at the storm-petrel net without success and after seeing the match Portugal-Switzerland we had a wonderful final dinner at the city. I enjoyed both the duck and the fish (me and Simon shared).

After dinner we bought some snacks at the shop and me and Louis later were in charge of checking the nets, while Simon and Aksel went out to try to catch Woodcocks (Skovsneppe). We had to call them back home because, unexpectedly I would say, we caught a Common snipe (Dobbeltbekkasin). It has been super cool to end the season with such a beautiful wader, at the beach!

We ringed the bird, we closed the nets and we played some games.

I already wrote some days ago my thanks into the Guestbook at the station, but I guess that many vounteers will not have the occasion (at least, not soon) to read it (just Hanelie will read it very soon). There are many people (mentioned in the guestbook) to thank, but here I just want to publicly being thankful mainly to the Autumn team (Solenn, Aksel, Prescillia and Louis), but also to Frank, Elena and Max! It was super nice to meet also Gustav, Johanna and Jeppe, I hope we will meet all again one day.

I have to say that this period, 3 months, flew really fast, and I lived many wonderful memories here in Skagen, but I have the feeling that many haven’t be done yet: probably I will come back one day, to catch one Snow Bunting.

Thank you very much Simon, Lisa, Knud and all the Skagen Fuglestation staff: wonderful team!

If someone of the readers of this blog comes to visit Italy one day and wants to do birdwatching together just contact me!

Just, please, don’t break the spaghetti, never.

Ringing at the Fyrhaven:

Dobbeltbekkasin: 1

Dagens observationer kan ses her

Folk på stationen: Simon Christiansen, Louis Kristoffer Poulsen, Diana Sciandra and Aksel Y. Munkholm.

Hej alle sammen

Sidste blog for mit vedkommende (i hvert fald i denne omgang ????) og derfor lidt vemodigt at skulle rapportere om dagens strabadser en sidste gang.

Morgenen her på fyret startede for Louis og Dianas vedkommende med morgenobs fra sælbunkeren, hvor de kort fik tilslutning fra Simon. De fik set en søkonge, men ellers ikke meget aktivitet at berette om. Jeg selv var dog ikke nær så morgenfrisk og startede dagen lidt senere, hvor jeg satte mig til at obse lidt lige udenfor fyret. Her blev det store highlight en islom, som kom flyvende helt tæt på kysten. Den spottede Louis og Diana også på vejen hjem, og fik travlt med at sætte scopes op, for at få et bedre kig på den. Det jo nærmest dagligt vi ser storlom heroppe i Skagen dette efterår, men altid en oplevelse at se dem komme flyvende forbi.

Da stationen lukker lige om snart, så var det også blevet tid til den store hovedrengøring! Det sidste af formiddagen samt hele eftermiddagen gik derfor med at skure og skubbe til vores arme næsten ikke kunne mere. I sidste ende blev vi stort sted færdig.

Efter den lange rengøring tog Simon og jeg ud på natfangst for at kigge efter skovsnepper og hvad der nu ellers kunne dukke op. En meget lys aften gjorde dog ikke betingelserne lette, og det endte derfor uden fugle. Vi fik dog både set enkeltbekkasiner, dobbeltbekkasiner, skovsnepper og en mose/skovhornugle. Uglen kom flyvende lige forbi os da vi sad i bilen, og vi brugte derefter lang tid på at finde den, for at gentage succesen fra oktober hvor vi fangede stationens første mosehornugle. Louis og Diana åbnede også uglenettet, men det lykkedes ingen af os at finde uglen igen. Desværre.  

Vi tog dog den manglende fangst med oprejst pande og sluttede dagen med gløgg og æbleskiver!

Jeg takker af for denne gang og vil derfor give en stor tak til alle de gode folk heroppe i Skagen som dele ud af deres viden, gode historier og ikke mindst kage. Det har været en fornøjelse!

Dagens observationer kan ses her

Folk på stationen: Louis Kristoffer Poulsen, Diana Sciandra, Aksel Y. Munkholm, Simon S. Christiansen

Hej allesammen!

Nok den sidste blog for mit vedkommende, så jeg vil i slutningen lige lave en kort opsamling med billeder for mine highlights de 2 sidste måneder på stationen, men først dagen idag:)

En meget stille dag som for Aksel og Olivia stod på ringmærkning i haven, og jeg og Diana var ved Nordstrand for at observere og gøre et måske sidste forsøg på at fange Snespurve.

Det var ret blæsende og så ser fuglene nemmere nettene da de hænger og bevæger sig hele tiden, og derudover var der heller ikke mange fugle at se i haven, så 2 fugle blev det til, en Gulspurv med ring og en ny Grønirisk:/

Ved nordstrand var der også meget stille, udover nogen Fløjlsænder (90), en Stor Skallesluger og en Sortstrubet Lom. Ingen Snespurve blev set, så vi må nok efterhånden erkende at det ikke bliver i denne omgang at vi får ringmærket Snespurve:/

Efter nettene var lukket i haven, satte Aksel og Olivia en fælde op til måger nede på stranden med en død fisk under som Aksel havde fundet tidligere, men det blev heller ikke til nogen måger idag:/ 

Aksel satte sig i læ af hegnet ved restauranten for at se lidt efter træk, og jeg satte mig også derned når vi kom hjem fra Nordstrand.

Der kom en del Rider meget tæt på land, både unge og gamle, så det var fedt og derudover også en Sortstrubet Lom.

Vi sagde også farvel til Olivia som tog afsted i dag.

Som sagt vil jeg også lige skrive lidt om nogle af højdepunkterne i løbet af de sidste 2 måneder i Skagen, 16 nye fuglearter, + Brud og Husmår er det blevet til, specielt mange nye havfuglearter som er svære at få at se på Bornholm, som Sodfarvet Skråpe (3), Mallemuk (1), Lunde (2), Søkonge (24), Topskarv (2), Storkjove (Daglig i perioder), samt Is. og Hvidnæbbet Lom (10, 5) og ikke mindst Suler og Rider som jo heroppe er i hundredevis:)

Ride

En ekstrem varm periode omkring månedsskiftet oktober-november resulterede i vildt sen forekomst af Rødrygget svale, og ikke bare én, men dage med 2 individer sammen!

Derudover en vild periode for Gråsejlere også, jeg tør ikke at sige hvor mange der har været i alt, men fedt var det i hvertfald, specielt at se Gråsejler sammen med Mursejler, og Rødrygget Svale sammen over Skarvsøen!!:)

Derudover har der været flere andre gode fugle, som Hærfugl, Fuglekongesanger, Sibirisk Bynkefugl, Hvidvinget Måge, Hvidsisken, Rødtoppet Fuglekonge, vildt sen Ringdrossel, Lapværlinger, Bjerglærker, Bjergpibere og massere af Store Korsnæb:)

Fuglekongesanger

Det har været 2 vilde måneder, med en masse nye mennesker, fugle, og ikke mindst min første gang som ringmærker som også har været vildt fedt, spændende og udfordrende.

Så tak for en god tid på stationen til alle de andre unge frivillige, gæsterne i lejligheden, Simon, og en masse andre også:)

Ringmærkning haven:

Grønirisk 1

Total: 1

Observationer fra idag kan ses her

Louis Kristoffer Poulsen, Diana Sciandra, Aksel Y. Munkholm, Olivia Aalling-Frederiksen, Simon S. Christiansen

Hej alle sammen,

Til morgen åbnede Diana, Louis og jeg nettene i fyrhaven omkring kl. 8. Igen i dag ringmærkede vi primært gulspurv og grønirisk, som holder meget til i og omkring haven. En kvækerfinke blev også ringmærket. Den er virkelig flot i sin dragt i de kontrastrige sort-kobber-farver.

Ringmærket kvækerfinke

Aksel tog til Jennes Sø for at ringmærke sammen med Michael. Her ringmærkede Aksel en meget fin topmejse. 

Topmejse ved Jennes Sø

Tilbage i fyrhaven lukkede vi nettene kl. 11.30 efter 8 ringmærkninger. Derefter tog vi alle med Simon til Jennes Sø for at mødes med Michael og Aksel til de sidste ringmærkninger. Da vi ankom, observerede vi et par træløbere. Diana ringmærkede den sidste fugl i nettet ved Jennes sø, en stor gråsisken. Igen havde vi en meget smuk dag, og det betagende lys over hav og hede kan man godt blive afhængig af.

Ringmærkning af den fine gråsisken

Efter formiddagens ringmærkninger tog vi på udkig efter topskarv på havnen i Skagen, som var blevet meldt ud tidligere på dagen. Den kan være svær af skelne fra skarven, men er karakteriseret ved at være en anelse mindre og have en højere pande. På vejen fik vi fornøjelsen af at se en flot vandrefalk, som sad ved havnen. Den sad i læ bag en lille busk på det ellers åbne grusområde. Den holdt tydeligvis øje med os, mens vi observerede. 

Vandrefalk på havnen, foto: Louis Kristoffer Poulsen

Vi spottede desværre ikke topskarven, blandt de mange skarve, som opholdt sig på Skagens Havns Vestmole. Heller ingen søkonge blev det til i denne omgang. En stor flok snespurve holdt til omkring Østmolen – dem har vi jo som bekendt ledt efter de sidste dage. Og turen var bestemt ikke forgæves, som det jo sjældent er for en fuglekikker. Vi så et par skærpiber og fem fine sortgrå ryler i havneområdet. Det var en rigtig god tur, trods den kolde vind. Der var ligeledes enighed om at turen til den nyligt genåbnet Netto på vejen hjem også var et højdepunkt.

Da vi kom hjem, var det tid til lidt oprydning, da stationen lukker ned på onsdag d. 7/12. Vi fik ryddet op i skuffer og skabe, sorteret papirer og krydderier.

Senere stod den på æbleskiver og gløgg.

Det er min sidste aften på stationen, da jeg tager hjem i morgen. Det har været en stor fornøjelse at tilbringe en uge med så dygtige og flinke folk og få mulighed for at deltage i observationer, tællinger, ringmærkninger, nattejagt og brætspil. Tak for denne gang.

Ringmærkning i Fyrhaven

Gulspurv: 4

Grønirisk: 3

Kvækerfinke: 1

Ringmærkning Jennes sø + Nordstjernevej

Topmejse: 1

Gråsisisken: 1

Grønirisk: 3

Blåmejse: 5

Musvit: 3

Rødhals: 1

Solsort: 2

Skovspurv: 1

Bogfinker: 3

Gulspurv: 2

Folk på stationen: Simon Christiansen, Louis Kristoffer Poulsen, Diana Sciandra, Aksel Y. Munkholm, Michael Ancher og Olivia Aalling-Frederiksen.